But according to their former assistant manager, Villa fans shouldn't get their hopes up.

Discussing a report in Wednesday's Daily Mail, which claimed the proposed takeover was set to collapse, Wilkins told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show (circa 07:25): "Funnily enough, I’ve got a very dear friend who knows a lot what’s going on and he tells me that that is not going through."

Wilkins is skeptical about Villa's proposed takeover

He added: "It's got to go to the Football League - they want to know what his financial situation is."

Villa, who have dropped out of the Premier League for the first time in 29 years, are currently without a manager and are yet to make any new signings ahead of the new season, which starts on 6 August.

The Sun reported on Tuesday that former West Brom and Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo had been hired as Remi Garde's successor, though there is currently no official line from Villa and Wilkins' revelation could throw the Italian's appointment into doubt.